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It all began in Scotland and the momentum remains unbroken. That fateful evening at Hampden represented only Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's manager; numerous observers thought it might turn out to be his last assignment. Despite two Scott McTominay goals overcoming the Spanish national team, while virtually everyone anticipated his spell would be brief, De la Fuente talked about a pathway opening - and remarkably, the manager once accused of being unrealistic proved right.

Three years and later, Spain moved extremely close of global football participation, while simultaneously achieving their 29th straight competitive game unbeaten, matching the legendary record.

Pedri's Influence and Decisive Contribution

During an evening when Pedri played and Mikel Merino made the difference, Spain overcame Bulgaria four-nil to secure 12 points from 12 in qualifying, edging closer. The Arsenal playmaker and sometime forward scored the opening two goals and could have secured his second consecutive hat-trick in three recent Spain matches but when fouled in the closing minute, he selflessly passed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was La Real attacker, goal-getter of the winning goal in the Euro 2024 final, who continued the remarkable sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Now, you might have noticed the asterisk, and correctly so. Although FIFA might not classify it as a defeat, during this remarkable run Spain actually suffer defeat once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League final back in June. Yet formally at least, this current team has matched that legendary squad against which all Spanish national teams are compared.

Victory in Georgia in thirty days and the record will be theirs alone. Along the way they captured the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and reached a Nations League final in 2025; they head toward 2026 sitting No. 1, among the frontrunners once more, just like previous eras.

Total Control

This was "only" against Bulgaria, it is true, just as previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four, combined score fifteen-zero. There were two moments immediately after the Spanish team scored their first two goals – the third being an own goal – but eventually their rivals had not been allowed a solitary shot on target.

The total count read: 33-3, Spain clearly being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the sole objective his team could have was to hold out as long as possible. Ultimately, that resistance lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's 18th attempt on target already.

Pedri's Masterclass

The display was about all of them, but at the core of it was Pedri, everywhere and nowhere at once: present for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to track him as he darted through their lines. He executed one hundred and one passes by the time he was withdrawn to a rapturous applause on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the instances of greatest subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the sharpest as well.

When the José Zorrilla sang his name during the first half, he had just drifted unnoticed into the area once more, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not only that. He had already lifted a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and delivered an additional pass from which Baena was denied.

Sustained Attack

An cleverly weighted delivery had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the first goal, and a precise lay-off saw Oyarzabal mishit his attempt. He got a chance of his own only to be unable to find a proper connection, striking wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he floated an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the possession, then had the advantage. The positioning chart looked like they had exhausted supply of marking paint midway through and a little later Aghehowa could have made it two.

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the unfairness, that makes football great. And the initial occasion Bulgaria advanced into Spain's territory they could have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov suddenly sprinting away and striking the outside of the net.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had multiple opportunities in as many minutes before Merino did it again. The cross from the left flank was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above everyone, was Merino to power the header down and dash off to celebrate around the flagpost.

Final Moments

Similar to their reaction after the opener, Bulgaria survived again, Despodov sent through and sending his and their second shot wide and yet the initial instance the visitors had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev turning into his own net. Yet it was not quite finished, Merino kicked in the legs and allowing to let Oyarzabal blast in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's ongoing tenure.